Apparatus and method for displaying content

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to join a multicast group having an associated multicast address, wherein the multicast address is associated with a first content type of a plurality of content types, access encoded content associated with the first content type from the multicast address, wherein the encoded content is transmitted by at least one source associated with the multicast group to the multicast address, decode the accessed encoded content, and display the decoded content on a channel mapped to the multicast address. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/557,160 filed Sep. 10, 2009 by Jason Savard et al., entitled“Apparatus and Method for Displaying Content.” All sections of theaforementioned application(s) are incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to media content and displayingmedia content and more specifically to an apparatus and method fordisplaying content.

BACKGROUND

The Internet, local area networks, and other networks provide users witha means for experiencing and sharing various types of media content. Themedia content can often include audio content, video content, textcontent, still image content, and/or combinations thereof. Media contentproviding sources can include Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), cableTV, and satellite TV. Additionally, media content can be generatedlocally at a user's home through devices such as video/audio players,personal computers, video conferencing equipment, cameras, and otherdevices. In order to access and experience the content, users typicallyhave to utilize the device and/or application that generated thecontent. However, users often seek to integrate content generated byvarious devices and/or applications so as to make the content readilyaccessible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withthe communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system for displayingcontent, which can operate in portions of the communications systems ofFIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2 and 5; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a set-top-box (STB)having a controller to join a multicast group having an associatedmulticast address, wherein the multicast address is associated with afirst content type of a plurality of content types, access encodedcontent associated with the first content type from the multicastaddress, wherein the encoded content is transmitted by at least onesource associated with the multicast group to the multicast address,decode the accessed encoded content, and display the decoded content ona channel mapped to the multicast address.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a methodincluding receiving a request for content from at least one computingdevice in a multicast group, wherein the content has an associatedcontent type, encoding the requested content, and transmitting theencoded content to a multicast address associated with the content typeand the multicast group, wherein the encoded content is obtained by theat least one computing device by accessing the multicast address,wherein the encoded content is decoded by the at least one computingdevice, and wherein the decoded content is displayed on a channel mappedto the multicast address.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail acomputer-readable storage medium having computer instructions to connecta computing device and a source device to a multicast group, wherein themulticast group has an associated multicast address, and wherein themulticast address is associated with a content type, receive a requestfor content from the at least one computing device, wherein the contentis of the content type, and transmit the request to the at least onesource device, wherein the at least one source device transmits thecontent to the multicast address in response to the request, wherein thecomputing device accesses the content from the multicast address, andwherein the computing device displays the content on a channel mapped tothe multicast address.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO)110 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 whichreceives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communicationsystems. In the present context, media content can represent audiocontent, moving image content such as videos, still image content, orcombinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can forward packets associatedwith the media content to video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a networkof video head-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a common multicastcommunication protocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a common residential or commercial gateway). Theaccess network 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommon communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote control).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial or phone linewiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocol. Withthese interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between themedia processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130 a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116 by way of a wireless access base station 117operating according to common wireless access protocols such as WirelessFidelity (WiFi), or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM,CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on).

The first communication system 100 can also include a security camera135. The security camera 135 can be operably coupled to at least one ofthe STBs 106, the gateway 104, and/or other devices in the system 100.Notably, the security camera 135 can be utilized to capture and generatemedia content and transmit the media content to the gateway 104, theSTBs 106, or to other devices in system 100. The media content caninclude audio content, video content, still image content, and/orcombinations thereof. The security camera 135 can be configured tocapture content continuously or at predetermined times. Any capturedmedia content can be transmitted to the gateway 104 and/or the STBs 106in real-time or based on a schedule.

Additionally, the communication system 100 can also include videoconferencing equipment 137, which can also be operably coupled to theSTBs 106, the gateway 104, and/or other devices in the system 100. Thevideo conferencing equipment 137 can also capture and generate mediacontent, such as speech and video during a video conference. Once themedia content is generated, the content can be transmitted to and/oraccessed by the gateway 104, the STBs 106, or to other devices in system100. Notably, the security camera 135 and the video conferencingequipment 137 can operate in a local area network, along with otherdevices in the system 100. The local area network, for example, can be aprivate network, which can include the devices within the residentialbuilding 102 and can be a network separate from the other networks inthe system 100.

Another distinct portion of the computing devices 130 can function as aserver (herein referred to as server 130). The server 130 can use commoncomputing and communication technology to perform the function ofdistributing media content and/or other types of content to variousdevices in the system 100. Notably, the server 130 can be operablycoupled to the gateway 104 either directly or indirectly, such asthrough access network 118. Additionally, the server 130 can beconfigured to access and/or receive content from a local area networkcontaining the security camera 135 and the video conferencing equipment137 via gateway 104. Other devices can access the content from theserver 130 if they are authorized to do so.

It will be appreciated by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that asatellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115supplying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dishreceiver 131 coupled to the building 102. Modulated signals interceptedby the satellite dish receiver 131 can be submitted to the mediaprocessors 106 for generating broadcast channels which can be presentedat the media devices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped witha broadband port to the ISP network 132 to enable infrastructureservices such as VoD and EPG described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distributionsystem such as cable TV system 133 can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system 133can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It follows from the above illustrations that the present disclosure canapply to any present or future interactive over-the-air or landlinemedia content services.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200.employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other commonnetwork elements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 canestablish communications between IMS compliant communication devices(CD) 201, 202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205,and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 220 coupled to a PSTN network 260.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with at the HSS240. To initiate a communication session between CDs, an originating IMSCD 201 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message toan originating P-CSCF 204 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries tothe ENUM system 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIPINVITE to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS compliant.

The SIP URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submita query to the HSS 240 to identify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associatedwith a terminating IMS CD such as reference 202. Once identified, theI-CSCF 207 can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214. Theterminating S-CSCF 214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216associated with the terminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals theCD 202 to establish communications.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such asreferences 203 or 205, the ENUM system 230 can respond with anunsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originating S-CSCF206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout Gateway ControlFunction (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call to theterminating PSTN CD by common means over the PSTN network 260.

The aforementioned communication process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 are interchangeable.It is further noted that communication system 200 can be adapted tosupport video conferencing by way of common protocols such as H.323. Inaddition, communication system 200 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs201, 203 the multimedia and Internet services of communication system100.

The servers 130 of FIG. 1 can be operably coupled to the secondcommunication system 200 for purposes similar to those described above.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 302 which canoperate from the computing devices 130 described earlier ofcommunication 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 302 can be used formanaging services of communication systems 100-200. The portal 302 canbe accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a common Internetbrowser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device such as those described for FIGS. 1-2. The portal302 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 106 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a VoDcatalog, an EPG, a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures,audio recordings, etc.) stored in the media processor, provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication device 400 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the communication devices of FIGS. 1-2. Thecommunication device 400 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 402 (herein transceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, apower supply 414, a location receiver 416, and a controller 406 formanaging operations thereof. The transceiver 402 can support short-rangeor long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi,Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellularcommunication technologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologiescan include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE,EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 402 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or aQwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include adisplay 410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technologyfor conveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. Inan embodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or allof the keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 412 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location receiver 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver for identifying a location of the communication device400 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites,thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation.

The communication device 400 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access point bycommon power sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA) or timeof flight (TOF). The controller 406 can utilize computing technologiessuch as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or avideo processor with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM,SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs 201-202 andPSTN CDs 203-205 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 400 can also represent other common devices thatcan operate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 such as agaming console and a media player.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 500 for displayingcontent, the system operable in portions of the communication systems ofFIGS. 1-2. The system 500 can include a STB 502, which can be operablycoupled to a display device 504. The display device 504 can be amonitor, television, or other similar device. Additionally, the system500 can include a gateway/router 506, which can be configured to serveas an interface between the STB 502 and the other devices in the system500. Notably, the gateway 506 can also be configured to receivesignaling information from the various devices in the system 500. Thesystem 500 can further include video conferencing equipment 508, whichcan be operably coupled to gateway 506 and can be configured tobroadcast multicast video, audio, or other content to a multicastaddress.

In addition, the system 500 can include surveillance/security cameras510, which like the video conferencing equipment 408, can be operablycoupled to the gateway 506 and can be configured to broadcast multicastvideo, audio, or other content to a multicast address. System 500 canfurther include a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player 512, which can includean adapter 514. The adapter 514 can be configured to convert analogmedia content to multicast media content. Once, converted that multicastmedia content can be transmitted by the adapter 514 to a multicastaddress. The DVD player 512 can also be operably coupled to a displaydevice 516. The aforementioned devices can be configured to be operatein a local area network and can be configured to be able tocommunicatively link to an iTV network. Of course, other devices, suchas personal computers, video cameras, and other music and video devicescan be incorporated into the system 500.

Notably, a set of multicast addresses can be defined and assigned basedon the type of media traffic associated with a particular application ordevice. For example, traffic/content associated with the videoconferencing equipment 508 can be assigned multicast address 239.x.x.1,traffic associated with the security cameras 510 can be assignedmulticast address 239.x.x.2, and traffic associated with the DVD player512 can be assigned 239.x.x.3. As an example, the video conferencingequipment can broadcast multicast video and/or audio content overmulticast address 239.x.x1. As new types of traffic are added, multicastaddresses can be reserved for each new type.

The content generated by the devices of system 500 can be integratedinto an IPTV service so as to allow content generated by the devices tobe displayed on any television/monitor in a user's home. For example,content generated by the security camera 510 can be transmitted tomulticast address 239.x.x.2 and the multicast address can be mapped to achannel, such as channel 9902. A user can then view the content from thesecurity camera on a display device, such as display device 504 viachannel 9902.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative method 600 that operates in portions ofthe communication systems of FIG. 1-2 and FIG. 5. The method 600 caninvolve integrating locally generated content that is on a user's localarea network into an IPTV service so as to enable the user or others toaccess the content on a media device. Method 600 can begin with step 602in which an STB, such as STB 502, or other media device can transmit arequest to join a multicast group to a network element, such as gateway506, server, or other similar device. The multicast group can have anassociated multicast address, which can be associated with a contenttype. The content type can include video conferencing content, securitycamera content, video content, internet content, music content, imagecontent, and/or data content. An iTV provider can set aside a block of128 multicast addresses, each of which can be associated with a certaintype of traffic. For example, as noted above, video conferencingtraffic/content can be assigned multicast address 239.x.x.1. At step604, network element can join the STB 502 to the multicast group so thatthe STB 502 can access locally generated content. Notably, the gatewaycan determine that multicast address associated with the multicast groupis for home use based on the address and, in doing so, can join themulticast group locally rather than sending the request to anotheroutside network.

The network element/gateway can communicatively link the STB 502 to asource device at step 606. A source device can be a device whichgenerates and/or provides content such as video conferencing equipment508, security camera 510, and DVD player 512. The content can be one ofvideo conferencing content, security camera content, video content,internet content, music content, image content, and/or data content. Thesource device can also be configured to join the multicast group. Thedevices that are a part of the multicast group can be part of a localarea network and any content generated by devices in the group can berestricted to the group. Once the STB 502 is communicatively linked tothe source device, it can be determined if the content is multicastcontent in step 608. If the content is not multicast content, the sourcedevice or an adapter 514 communicatively linked to the source device canconvert the content into multicast content at step 610. For example, ifthe content is in an analog form, the adapter 514 can convert the analogcontent into multicast content and transmit the content over theassociated multicast address.

At step 612, the STB 502 can access the content generated by the sourcedevice from the multicast address associated with the content type. Oncethe content is accessed by the STB 502, the STB 502 can determine if thecontent was encoded by the source device or by another device at step614. If the content is encoded, the STB 502 can decode the encodedcontent at step 616. Once the content is decoded or in the case wherethe content was not encoded in the first place, the STB 502 can thendisplay the content on a channel mapped to the multicast address at step618.

For example, if the content type was video conferencing content, thedefined multicast address for multicast content could be 239.x.x.1. Themulticast address could be mapped to a particular television channel,such as channel 9901. The STB 502 can access the content from the videoconference equipment via the multicast address and can display thecontent on channel 9901. Similarly, other types of content associatedwith other multicast addresses can be mapped to other channels. Securitycamera content can be displayed on channel 9902 and DVD content could bedisplayed on channel 9903 for instance.

By allowing the STB 502 to access locally generated content via amulticast address, the STB 502 can display the content on any televisionor other media device in the user's home. In an embodiment, a user canaccess the channel by directly changing the channel, such as through aremote control. Using the above example, if the user would like toaccess video conferencing content, the user can simply use the remotecontrol to switch the channel to 9901. Once the user switches thechannel, the user can watch the video conferencing content on thetelevision of his or choosing. In another example, DVD player 512 can inessence be converted into a network DVD player by utilizing theinvention. The DVD player 512 can transmit content associated with a DVDmovie to the associated multicast address and now the content can beplayed on a channel mapped to multicast address on any television in thehouse since STB 502 can access the content.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, in one embodiment,the user can utilize an application menu associated with the STB 502 toselect which type of content the user wants view. If the user wanted toview the security camera content, the user can select a security cameraicon on the menu to launch the multicast channel associated with thesecurity camera content. Of course, the user can also select the channeldirectly from the menu as well. In another embodiment, if theapplication requires the display of content on one of the localmulticast channels, the STB 502 can initiate a force tune toautomatically go to the multicast channel.

In one embodiment, devices outside the local area network of the usercan be configured to access the multicast channel if authorized to doso. For example, if one user has a local network with multicast channelsand the user would like someone else to be able to watch his homewithout having to be at the user's home, the other person can be grantedaccess to the multicast channel, such as by authenticating into theuser's network or through other authorized means.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 700 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 700 may include a processor 702 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 704 and a static memory 706, which communicate with each othervia a bus 708. The computer system 700 may further include a videodisplay unit 710 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system700 may include an input device 712 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 714 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 716, a signal generationdevice 718 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 720.

The disk drive unit 716 may include a machine-readable medium 722 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 724)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 724may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 704, the static memory 706, and/or within the processor 702during execution thereof by the computer system 700. The main memory 704and the processor 702 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 724, or that which receives and executes instructions 724from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 726 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 726 using the instructions 724. Theinstructions 724 may further be transmitted or received over a network726 via the network interface device 720.

While the machine-readable medium 722 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A set-top-box, comprising: a processor; and amemory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:communicating with a content network via a local gateway device of afirst local area network; displaying a menu comprising a plurality oficons associated with content that is available for viewing; receiving aselection of a first icon of the plurality of icons, wherein the firsticon is associated with a video camera that is coupled to a second localarea network; receiving an authorization from the second local areanetwork to join a multicast group associated with the video camera;receiving encoded video content captured by the video camera responsiveto receiving the authorization, wherein the encoded video content isassociated with a multicast address of the multicast group; decoding theencoded video content to generate decoded content; displaying thedecoded content on a television channel that is mapped to the multicastaddress by the content network; receiving a request from a remote mediadevice for access to the decoded content of the television channel thatis mapped to the multicast address for the video camera, wherein theremote media device is outside of the first local area network;authenticating the remote media device to access the television channelresponsive to the request; and enabling the remote media device toaccess the decoded content of the television channel according to theauthenticating, wherein the set-top-box further authenticates the remotemedia device into the first local area network.
 2. The set-top-box ofclaim 1, wherein the processor, responsive to executing the executableinstructions, further performs operations comprising joining a secondmulticast group that is associated with a local source device, whereinthe local source device is determined by the local gateway device to bewithin the first local network based on a local multicast address. 3.The set-top-box of claim 1, wherein the content network comprises one ofan internet protocol television network, an interactive cable televisionnetwork, or a combination thereof.
 4. The set-top-box of claim 1,wherein the encoded video content comprises one of video conferencingcontent, security camera content, or a combination thereof.
 5. Theset-top-box of claim 4, wherein the processor further performsoperations comprising receiving second encoded video content comprisinga second multicast address.
 6. The set-top-box of claim 1, wherein theprocessor, responsive to executing the executable instructions, performsoperations comprising transmitting authenticating information to thesecond local area network for joining the multicast group associatedwith the video camera.
 7. The set-top-box of claim 1, wherein theencoded video content is converted by the video camera into multicastcontent when the content is one of analog content or non-multicastcontent.
 8. The set-top-box of claim 1, wherein the video cameracomprises one of a computer, a digital video player, a handheld device,a security camera, teleconferencing equipment, or a combination thereof.9. A method, comprising: authenticating, by a system comprising aprocessor, a computing device of a first local area network associatedto access a multicast group of a second local area network responsive toreceiving a selection of a first icon associated with a video camera,wherein the multicast group is adapted for providing live video contentassociated with the video camera to members of the multicast group,wherein the system comprises a set-top box operating in the second localarea network, and wherein the live video content of the video camera ismapped to a multicast television channel of the set-top box;transmitting, by the system, an authorization to join the multicastgroup to the computing device responsive to the authenticating;encoding, by the system, the live video content to generate encodedvideo content; and transmitting, by the system, the encoded videocontent to the computing device at a multicast address via a contentnetwork responsive to the authorization, wherein the encoded videocontent is decoded by the computing device, and wherein the videocontent that is decoded is further displayed on a channel mapped to themulticast address by the content network.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the content network comprises one of an internet protocoltelevision network and an interactive satellite television network. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein the computing device comprises one of asecond set-top-box, a digital video recorder, or a combination thereof.12. The method of claim 9, comprising converting, by the system, thelive video content into multicast content when the live video content isone of analog content or non-multicast content, wherein the conversionis performed prior to transmitting the encoded video content to thecomputing device at the multicast address.
 13. The method of claim 9,wherein the live video content comprises one of video conferencingcontent, security camera content, or a combination thereof.
 14. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the live video content comprises a pluralityof content types, and wherein each content type of the plurality ofcontent types has an associated multicast address.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructionswhich when executed by a processor facilitates performing of operationscomprising: authenticating, via a set-top box device operating on afirst local area network, a computing device of a second local areanetwork to join a multicast group of the first local area networkresponsive to receiving a selection of a first icon associated with avideo camera, wherein the multicast group has an associated multicastaddress, wherein the multicast group is adapted for providing videocontent associated with the video camera to members of the multicastgroup, and wherein the video content is mapped to a multicast televisionchannel of the set-top box; receiving a request from the computingdevice for live video content from the video camera; and transmittingthe request to the video camera responsive to the authenticating of thecomputer device, wherein the video camera transmits the live videocontent to the multicast address in response to the request, wherein thecomputing device accesses the live video content from the multicastaddress, and wherein the computing device displays the live videocontent on a channel mapped to the multicast address by a contentnetwork.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 15, wherein the live video content is encoded by the video cameraand decoded by the computing device.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the live videocontent comprises one of video conferencing content, security cameracontent, or a combination thereof.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein content networkcomprises one of an internet protocol television network, an interactivesatellite television network, or a combination thereof.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein thecomputing device transmits authenticating information responsive to theselection of the first icon.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 15, comprising executable instructions whichwhen executed by the processor cause the processor to perform operationscomprising connecting the computing device to the multicast group.